With a curious journal and an ambitious new memoir of orphanhood, this young editor and writer opens a package of literary surprises

This is a story about boxes. In the world headquarters of the unorthodox literary journal McSweeney's--a Brooklyn, N.Y., duplex apartment strewn with printouts, antique books and sporting goods--Dave Eggers is considering the structural integrity of a Dunkin' Donuts box. There's been a snag with issue No. 4, consisting of 14 exquisitely designed miniature books. It's supposed to come in a sturdy custom box, but the prototype won't close, and the printer--which is, no kidding, in Iceland--is scrambling for a replacement. Now, say editor Eggers and editor at large Sean Wilsey, munching on doughnuts, they can't look at a box without thinking...